This is the first time I have done a JBR, I have been a "lurker" and occasional question asker for 4 years, butI have gained so much help and information from the forum, this time I have to make a contribution!
We left Briz flying Jetstar (first time) via Sydney landing in the big storm there, two hours between flights, then an hour delay and we were off. Got our allocated seats, no problems with the flight, staff were friendly, drinks service a bit slow, but the plane was full. Bags last off the plane but straight thru customs and a taxi to Rama Garden at Legian. (We were using timeshare we bought in the Rama Group for the first time.)
Shown a dark little room with twin beds, but were promised an upgrade the next day. Sure enough, we were given a much nicer room the next morning.
Off to Ketuts shop in Garlic Lane to get my 4 sundresses which become my wardrobe when in Bali. Lovely to see her and of course cannot leave without something for all the grandchildren, will be back later.
Changed money at the kodak stall opposite the Puri Raja, no problems, 7450rp to the $Aus. Always change in $100 so its easy to check!
Breakfast in the hotel is fine all the usual and eggs any which way. Our first trip in 2 years, where are all the people? its so quiet and although its more pleasant for us, so hard for the stall holders and hotels. The sportsbar we used to go to is closed and the big screens moved to our hotel! Very convenient for the footy!
Most meals in the 3 days we spent in Legian were at Bamboo Corner, Legian Snacks and the hotel, good meals everywhere. Both had a minor case of dire-rear (!) at one stage but just settling into local food. Taking our raspberry juice regularly, it hasn't let us down in 4 trips!
4 days of relaxing on the beach and round the pool then it was call our friend and driver Sammy from the Puri Raja and its off to the next timeshare, Hotel Rama Resort and Spa in Candidasa, via a quick tikitour to Sanur on the way.
What a beautiful place the Rama Hotel is, set on a little beach as most of the original beach was swept away when the coral was removed for building, it has the most beautiful gardens with pavilions and huge daybeds scattered throughout. Hubby is a lansdcaper so the gardens and structures built in them kept him curious for days! My favourite is the double bed swings on the beach, like a fourposter of which the mattress and base swings, I took the most photos of the trip of these great beds and guess what I want for Xmas? Hotel room was very nice, except for hot water which kept stopping in mid shower! Calls to the engineer didn't fix the problem for long and as we didn't want to shift rooms we were given a key to an empty room next door for showers! Great having 2 bathrooms.
Didn't use the spa facilites, thought they were very expensive even with the 20% inhouse discount. Didn't see anyone else using them or the beachside massage hut either. .
Eating at the hotel's new French Restaurant set over the water was delicious but expensive so we ventured to the village, a 15 minute walk and tried the local eateries, the Lotus Cafe is superb, both the setting over the water and the food, their mahimahi was delicious and in the 5 days we spent there I had it 3 times. Ganesh and other eateries we visited were all great and all offer you free pick up and return from your hotel.
Met Nyoman on the beach while walking, he's a local fisherman with a sailing canoe (tjoken sp?), next thing we are booking for 4 hours sailing and fishing the next day. Great day out, for 300k, trolling for mahimahi under sail, (no luck) and then sailing around the little offshore islands stopping to snorkel when it was a good place. On the way home stopped to fish for "snapper" which seems to cover the names any of the small reef fish we caught. A great relaxing day, he was a mine of information and a lot of fun, we booked again for the next day, no mahimahi but lots of smaller fish for him amd the family.
All too soon our week in Candidasa is over, Sammy is coming to take us back to Tuban and the Green Garden Resort and Spa ( not part of our timeshare but an old favourite) via Kintamani. We walk a lot and by the end of the week here were being greeted by name by the local residents, they are so friendly and welcoming, we will be back for longer next time.
Next, Tuban and Kuta.